The holiday season is the giving season. That’s why Thorold Automotive Solutions has signed a multi year partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities in Hamilton.
Says owner of Thorold Automotive Solutions, Frank Serravalle, “What that entails is (that) I committed to them for three years that there’s a room that I adopt that provides for families to stay in that room for free.”
Ronald McDonald House provides support to parents whose children are staying right across the street at McMaster Children's Hospital.
“Usually the stays are really long and there are families that have been staying there for over 130 days, because it’s a difficult time in that hospital. The house is literally across the street so that they can be close to their kids. They provide free stay, free meals, (and) events.”
Serravalle has a personal reason for the partnership.
“My daughter was involved in a severe car accident and we ended up spending a lot of time at McMaster Hospital. She miraculously recovered very, very well. I’ve always wanted to do something to show my gratitude. I wanted to do something big. We’ve been donating twice to McMaster every Christmas but then when the Ronald McDonald House came about I jumped on it.”
It was Mario De Divitiis, a family friend of Serravalle and newly appointed chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario, who approached Serravalle about making a donation.
Says Serravalle, “I thought, ‘Well, this is perfect, I’ve been looking for something'. We went there for a tour because he was like, ‘I don’t want your commitment until you actually come to the facility,' so they gave us a tour and it was good to go and really see the quality of what they do.”
Luckily, Serravalle’s daughter has made a full recovery and is doing great these days.
“She’s playing sports, she’s doing all of the above. It’s really a miracle, we were fortunate. You really realize when your kid is there that there are dark days. So that support is huge, to have a warm, cooked meal, to sleep in a bed just across the street. I can see myself helping this charity for a long time.”
